Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

9.2 Content
9.2.1 Selection and Preparation of Library Plants:
Plants are carefully selected according to their importance by specialist and
faculties, students and professionals. The selection process is slightly different in each
content area like Horticulture, Forestry, Botany etc. Identification of scholars and experts
with relevant expertise and the definition of selection criteria are necessary. Identification
of information sources for recommended plant material eg. Institutional collection,
libraries, private collection and repository institutions should be done at the beginning.
Plant library is related with diverse group of people; hence advertisement of plant
library is a key factor to reach to the target group. Without advertisement there can not be
a professional achievement in the plant library business. It can be done by using different
type of media. The electronic media can be used effectively to reach the customers.
Nevertheless, leading newspapers, magazines, books etc. can also be used for publicity of
the plant library project.
Methods of Collection:
Live Plants
This is a continuous process in which live plants are collected and maintained in the
plant library. The plant of the utmost importance like the rare species, value added plants,
and commercial plants are maintained in live collection.
Herbarium
A mini herbarium (dried plant library) is a collection of plant specimens with their
nomenclature, habitat, name of the collector, utility and availability etc.
Flashcards
Flashcards are prepared with taping of pressed specimens or pictures from
magazines on to index cards and labeling the cards with plant names .this can be the
useful way to learn how to identify the plants.
Photographs
Photographing plants is another means to collect information and pictorial view of
the plant for identification and preservation. The plants which are not available but have
commercial importance can be collected by way of photographs either by institute itself
or from another source. This can be the best way for the specimens which are at multilocation.
Photocopies
Photocopies of plants provide required details about the plant to get acquainted,
collected information and reference. It is an easiest way to gather information for
identification and guidance for use. The published sources of the plant are used for
making the photocopies.
<strong>Resource</strong> <strong>Book</strong> on Horticulture Nursery Management : 195